1.

Fulfilment - Messianic Age

a. Acts 3:11-26

Peter mentioned a second mitigating factor regarding his listeners’ guilt in the murder of Jesus.
Not only did they act in ignorance (3:17), it had been foretold beforehand that Jesus had to suffer
at their hands. God was guiding events so that the predictions about the Messiah suffering
persecution and martyrdom would be carried out (3:18). God had willed the Servant’s shameful
crucifixion (3:21). The Messiah was to suffer and die. This was precisely why the vast majority of
Jews would not accept Jesus as Messiah. Jesus of Nazareth had been executed as a common
criminal. In the eyes of the Jews, he was under the curse of the Law.

b. Acts 13:17-43

It has often been remarked that this sermon bears a striking resemblance to the speeches of
Peter in both outline and content. It is now widely accepted that all of the early preaching
followed a common pattern that to some extent was based on rabbinic models.

For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, who did not recognize Jesus nor
understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by
condemning Jesus. Paul proceeds to explain that the people and rulers of Jerusalem
condemned Jesus and thereby “fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath”
(13:27). By rejecting Jesus, the Jews are fulfilling the scriptures that foretell his rejection. The
very things the Scriptures say should happen to Jesus; the Jews of Jerusalem carried out
(13:29). The people who want to live in accordance with the Scriptures had fulfilled the
prophecies by (ironically) rejecting God’s messenger!

2. Life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus

a. Acts 3:11-26

Peter was attempting to speak from the Jews’ point of view. He was also making an important
point about Jesus. This man whom they ignorantly crucified was intimately associated with God
and the fathers of the nation in an important way. Peter called Jesus “God’s servant,” echoing
the theme of Isaiah’s Suffering Servant. The first Christians saw not only the meaning of the
Crucifixion as being within the plan of God, but also found there the foundation for a doctrine of
Atonement through the death of Christ and a promise of Christ’s vindication beyond the Cross.
(3:13)

The Servant described by Isaiah had been handed over by the Jewish people to be killed by
Pilate (Luke 23:1-25). Pilate, representing a pagan government, wanted to let Jesus go free. On
three occasions, Luke mentioned Pilate wanting to release Jesus (Luke 23: 4, 16, 22), all against
the clamor of God’s own people. The Jews demanded that another prisoner, a murderer, should
be released to them (3:14). This man, Barabbas, was identified by Luke as a rebel who had
been imprisoned for rioting and murder (Luke 23:18-19, 25). So, there was a bitter irony in
Jesus’ crucifixion. A criminal was given freedom, but the man who wanted to bring the nation
spiritual freedom was executed. Jesus’ death became a supreme travesty of humanity’s injustice
and spiritual blindness. In contrast to the murderer Barabbas, Jesus was “the Holy and
Righteous One” (verse 14).

Peter said his hearers had disowned Jesus and “killed the author of life.” But “God raised him
from the dead” (3:15) Jesus is the founder of eternal life in the sense that he is its giver.
Ultimately, Jesus is the source and perfecter of salvation, the pioneer who paved the way and
accomplished the task. His resurrection was the beginning of the entire episode.

b. Acts 13:17-43

Paul uses John’s testimony as a further piece of evidence that the promised Messiah is Jesus.
John clearly pointed out that Jesus is the Messiah “who takes away the sin of the world”. Paul
preaches the gospel message, that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected. He proceeds to
explain that the people and rulers of Jerusalem condemned Jesus and thereby “fulfilled the
words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath” (13:27). His disciples, however, knew he had
been raised because they saw him after his resurrection (13:31). God raised up Jesus to be the
Messiah even before his death, but God also raised him up after his death. And both “raisings”
are predicted in the Scriptures that are read every Sabbath in the synagogues. The resurrection
is a verifiable fact because Jesus appeared to his followers over a span of several weeks. “They
are now his witnesses to our people” (13:31). Paul quotes “You will not let your holy one see
decay” (13:35).

3. He is risen! And heads the New Israel, the Church

a. Acts 3:11-26

Peter associated this time of restoration with the future rebirth of Israel, as described in the Old
Testament. In many Old Testament prophecies, this rebirth was placed in the context of the
Messiah’s coming. In terms of a New Testament understanding, the restoration would occur at
the “second coming” of the Messiah in the last days — and then “everything” would be restored.
The kingdom of God was with human beings in the presence of the incarnate Jesus. Something
of a “restoration” or rebirth is occurring in the world right now. This is the spiritual rebirth or
conversion of people through the Holy Spirit, as they are brought into his body, the church.
(3:20)

b. Acts 13:17-43

Paul writes that Jesus “was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the
dead” (Romans 1:4). He was already the Son of God; but after the resurrection, he is declared
even more powerfully to be the Son. Thus, Jesus becomes Savior of the world by being “raised
up” in resurrection. In his synagogue speech, Paul, refers to “the fact that God raised him [Jesus]
from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay” (13:34). Paul is moving from discussing
the “raising” of Jesus as a “sending,” to his “raising” in the resurrection of the dead. He does this
by claiming that the resurrection itself is the fulfillment of the blessings promised to David.

4. Holy Spirit - a sign of Christ's active presence in the Church

a. Acts 3:11-26

Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit, “raised up” or assigned to be the Messiah. The unseen Holy
Spirit is also at work in the minds of the listeners. The kingdom of God was with human beings in
the presence of the incarnate Jesus. Something of a “restoration” or rebirth is occurring in the
world right now. This is the spiritual rebirth or conversion of people through the Holy Spirit, as
they are brought into his body, the church.

b. Acts 13:17-43

Paul quotes three more texts and says that they also speak of “raising up Jesus” (13:33). This
raising up is prefigured in Psalm 2:7: “You are my son; today I have become your father”
(12:33). This is echoed when God spoke after Jesus’ baptism: “This is my Son, whom I love;
with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Jesus is then anointed by the Holy Spirit, “raised
up” or assigned to be the Messiah. The unseen Holy Spirit is also at work in the minds of the
listeners.

5. Christ will come again.

a. Acts 3:11-26

The book of revelation insists that Jesus’ return will occur even though the entire world is hostile
to God. Indeed, Jesus’ return will be necessary to eliminate this hostility, as well as the world’s
rejection of the gospel message. There is no bold talk in Revelation about the church spreading
the gospel. What Peter probably meant was that his listeners should repent so that the “times of
refreshing” could come to them. They will experience this refreshing for themselves when they
repent and sense the forgiveness and acceptance of God. When God will send Jesus a second
time is a secret he alone holds. When he decrees it is time, Jesus will return and “restore
everything” (3:21).

b. Acts 13:17-43

At this point, Paul had said enough about the gospel. He has shown that Jesus is the expected
Messiah, except he came in an unexpected way. Paul also pressed home the importance of
putting one’s faith in Jesus. In conclusion, Paul warns his hearers about the danger of rejecting
God’s offer of salvation. He concludes by quoting Habakkuk 1:5: “Look at the nations and watch
—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not
believe, even if you were told.”

In its original context, the prophecy of Habakkuk 1:5 referred to the failure of the nation to
recognize the Babylonian invasion as the judgment of God for sin. Paul here applies it to any
failure on the part of God’s people to recognize Jesus as having been “raised up” to be Messiah
and Savior. Paul is trying to pre-empt any challenge to his message. What he is doing is saying:
If you are ridiculing and scoffing at what I’m telling you, here is one of your own prophets who
predicts that you would scoff. So, take the prophecy to heart and accept the good news. (13:40-
41)

6. Call to repentance and action

a. Acts 3:11-26

Here is the proclamation of a divine amnesty, offering a free pardon to all who took part in
Jesus’ death, if only they acknowledge their error, confess their sin, and turn to God in
repentance. Peter preached that only one reaction from the audience is appropriate. Luke
summarized it in a sentence: “Repent…and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out”
(3:19). These Jews would have already been following the principles of a good life, based on
the Law. What “repent” almost certainly wouldn’t have meant to the Jews was their need to turn
away from idols to serve God.

All people must turn to God, even those who have understood and tried to follow the Holy
Scriptures. To experience reconciliation with God, everyone needs forgiveness, repentance,
and the Holy Spirit. For this audience, “repentance” would mean turning to God by accepting
Jesus as Lord, and as the Messiah whom God had chosen. When people acknowledge the
Savior, they acknowledge the need for being saved from a condition of sinfulness. Jesus had
already paid for their sins, but they would not experience his forgiveness unless they turned to
God (3:19).

Peter continued to plead with his hearers to respond to his challenge and repent. Peter cited the
words of Moses. They must hear his words about Jesus, Peter insists, because Moses, one of
their fathers, said God would raise up a prophet like him and “you must listen to everything he
tells you” (3:22). If that prophet was not heeded, those rejecting him would no longer be
considered to be part of God’s people (3:23). Peter was saying that Moses backed up his
exhortation: don’t reject Jesus, because he is the prophet that must be listened to (3:23).

b. Acts 13:17-43

Paul now comes to the conclusion of his argument. “Therefore, my friends,” he says, “I want you
to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (13:38).  This brings us
to the concept of “justification,” discussed in the next verse. Paul says: “Through him [Jesus]
everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under
the law of Moses” (13:39). 

Acts 13:39 does not say that the law can justify anyone. It might say that you did one certain
thing right — you met the legal requirements in respect to a certain incident in your life — but
that cannot justify you for everything you did wrong. In the final analysis, the law of Moses
cannot provide justification for any sin, period. “Everything” — all sins — must be atoned for by
Christ.

Paul also pressed home the importance of putting one’s faith in Jesus. In conclusion, Paul warns
his hearers about the danger of rejecting God’s offer of salvation. Paul is trying to pre-empt any
challenge to his message. What he is doing is saying: If you are ridiculing and scoffing at what
I’m telling you, here is one of your own prophets who predicts that you would scoff. So, take the
prophecy to heart and accept the good news. (13:40-41)